By: Chad Beattie
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Former Lynn University women’s soccer player Melissa Ortiz has been selected to represent Colombia at the 2012 Summer Olympics hosted in London, England. She becomes the first person in school history for any sport to participate in the Olympics.
Ortiz will begin competition on July 25 when Colombia takes on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Wellington, Fla., native was named the 2011 Sunshine State Conference Player & Offensive Player of the Year in addition to First Team All-SSC accolades. Ortiz notched 24 points in her final season while helping the Blue & White to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time since 1998. She was third in the league in points and goals, reaching double-figures for the third time in four years with 10.
During her four-year career, Ortiz accumulated over 100 points, becoming the 10th player in school history to accomplish this feat. Her SSC Player & Offensive Player of the Year recognition gave her the career trifecta as in 2008 she was the SSC Freshman of the Year. Ortiz is also the second player at Lynn to be a four-time All-SSC selection, joining Piper Seaman (2001-04).
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